Commuters taking the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will need to adjust their budgets as a fare increase takes effect starting April 2. This means a few extra pesos per ride, but for many, it&rsquo;s an added strain on daily expenses. Whether you&rsquo;re a regular passenger or an occasional traveler, it&rsquo;s important to know what&rsquo;s changing and why.
The maximum fare for a single journey ticket will go from P45 to P55, while the minimum fare will rise from P15 to P20. For stored-value cardholders, the highest fare will now be P52 instead of P43, with the lowest fare increasing slightly from P15 to P16. While the fare hike has been met with mixed reactions, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) say it&rsquo;s a long-overdue adjustment to keep the railway running efficiently.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://api.easyrock.com.ph/v1/media/display?bucket=static.easyrock.com.ph&amp;key=attachments/2025/4/f1lZ9O2pQnyG_5zD4pDie.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="432" /> Photo: Light Rail Manila Corporation / Facebook
<img src="https://api.easyrock.com.ph/v1/media/display?bucket=static.easyrock.com.ph&amp;key=attachments/2025/4/QY_CJy7LT2Lqz4UuIO7so.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="432" /> Photo: Light Rail Manila Corporation / Facebook
According to transport officials, the increase is necessary to ensure the LRT-1 remains operational and continues its planned expansion to Cavite. They argue that without the hike, it would be challenging to sustain improvements and upgrades for better service. However, some commuters and advocacy groups are still appealing against the fare adjustment, believing it could make daily commuting even more burdensome.
For now, riders should prepare for the changes and look out for any possible developments. Whether this hike leads to improved services or remains a source of debate, one thing is certain: Metro Manila&rsquo;s daily commute is always evolving, and commuters will have to adapt to the ride.
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